Qiana Daniels

Co-founder and Co-Executive Director, Kindred Bakery BK
📍New York, United States

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

Leaders today need empathy, collaboration, and a deep commitment to creating opportunity for others. Throughout my career as an educator in the New York City public school system, I have focused on ensuring that students with disabilities and learning differences have access to meaningful education and the opportunity to thrive.

I personally interview every family before enrollment, calls parents with updates, celebrates student milestones, and creates an atmosphere where every participant feels seen and valued. Leadership, to me, is about listening, building trust, and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued. When people feel supported, they gain the confidence to grow and contribute in ways they may not have imagined.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

Nurturing. As a lifelong educator and Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Kindred Bakery BK, my leadership style is rooted in creating environments where people feel supported as they learn and grow. At Kindred, we work with neurodiverse young adults who are too often excluded from traditional workforce programs. Through our curriculum, which blends artisan baking, education, and employment training, we focus on helping participants build skills, confidence, and pride in their work. My goal is to create an atmosphere where every participant feels seen, valued, and capable of thriving.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

Pledge 1% reflects the kind of culture we strive to build at Kindred every day. As Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Kindred Bakery BK, I designed a curriculum that blends artisan baking, education, and employment training for young people who are often excluded from traditional workforce programs.

My background in special education and literacy, my experience as a mother, and my lived understanding of inequity shape every aspect of Kindred’s teaching and mentorship. Our work is rooted in community and mentorship, and we believe that businesses can play a meaningful role in creating opportunity. Programs like Pledge 1% reinforce the importance of generosity, collaboration, and investing in the communities we serve.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

Companies can champion female leadership by creating environments where women’s experiences and perspectives are valued and trusted. As the mother of a young adult with autism, I transformed my personal journey into a broader mission of building a space where young people with disabilities can gain confidence, skill, and belonging through meaningful work.

At Kindred, that commitment shapes how we lead and how we care for our community. Families who participate in our program often describe Kindred as “a family,” which reflects the culture of care we work to cultivate. When companies support women in bringing their full experiences into leadership, they create stronger and more inclusive communities.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

Remember where you come from and let it shape how you show up for others. Growing up in public housing in Queens gave you a firsthand understanding of the barriers many families face when navigating systems that were not built with them in mind. One day, your journey as a mother, especially raising a neurodiverse son, will deepen that understanding even more.

Stay grounded in that purpose and trust the path ahead. The work you do will grow into a community where young people and their families feel seen, supported, and experience a true sense of belonging.

Aisya Aziz

Chief Technology Officer, LiquiDonate
📍Fremont, United States

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

With all the shifts happening in today’s world, leaders need clarity in chaos and resilience without ego. In just a few years, we’ve seen major political shifts and rapid AI evolution. The only real constant is change. No matter how experienced or skilled we are, there will be moments when our thinking or approaches become outdated – and that’s okay. Strong leaders acknowledge it, adapt quickly, and focus on what truly matters. More than that, we create stability and confidence for our teams, helping others navigate uncertainty with purpose. Our role isn’t just to keep up – it’s to continuously redefine priorities, guide our teams forward, and turn change into opportunity.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

I’d say purposeful. I lead with purpose, build with purpose, and approach every challenge with intention. I focus on clarity and impact, helping my team see what truly matters and guiding decisions that drive meaningful results. I was drawn to LiquiDonate because the mission itself is purposeful – turning excess inventory into social impact. That same sense of purpose shapes how I lead every day. Our work even caught Time Magazine’s attention as one of the Best Inventions of 2025 for sustainable retail logistics software – which is a great reminder that meaningful work can also make waves!

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

At LiquiDonate, the Pledge 1% program isn’t just a perk – it’s embedded in how we work (and in our work!). We celebrate volunteering in our #volunteer Slack channel, which is a great nudge to step away from the keyboard and give back in person. We also offer paid time to volunteer and intentionally block time for group volunteering during on-sites. Giving back isn’t just encouraged here – it’s who we are.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

If anything, companies just need to be equitable. Women are more than capable – we don’t need special treatment. What we need is equal access to opportunity, equal pay, equal trust, and equal standards. Championing female leadership isn’t about lowering the bar or creating exceptions. It’s about removing bias, ensuring representation in decision-making rooms, and creating environments where women can lead fully and authentically.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

Dive in and give your all – that’s part of who you are – but also make space to explore, experiment, and try new things outside of work. Take risks, pursue interests, and embrace experiences that challenge you in different ways. The perspectives and skills you gain beyond the job will make you more creative, resilient, and ultimately a stronger, more thoughtful leader.

At Compass Furnished Apartments, our commitment to Pledge 1% is rooted in a simple belief: it’s more than housing, it’s about people, community, and sustainability.

Through our Compass Cares program, we dedicate 1% of our product and profit to supporting patients and families traveling for medical care, in addition to meaningful community and sustainability initiatives. These stays become more than just accommodations—they provide a sense of stability during uncertain times, a place to rest after long hospital days, and a space where families can feel together, supported, and at home when it matters most.

In partnership with organizations like Hospitality Homes, we provide both discounted and, when possible, fully complimentary stays—helping ease the financial and emotional weight of being far from home when it matters most.

In 2025 alone, this commitment resulted in 170 Compass Cares stays, including 1,915 discounted nights and 69 complimentary nights, delivering more than $25,000 in savings to families navigating medical challenges.

Beyond housing, we extend our impact through revenue-based giving and employee-led initiatives that reflect what matters most to our team. We’ve donated over $6,000 to nonprofits chosen by our employees and planted over 50 trees, turning meaningful moments into meaningful impact. From these contributions to sustainability effort, our commitment to care extends far beyond every stay.

For us, this work goes beyond giving back. It’s about driving meaningful impact—supporting patients and families, investing in our communities, and advancing a more sustainable future.

Gill Whelan

General Manager, DECJUBA Foundation
📍Melbourne, Australia

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

Leaders today need courage, clarity and compassion – it can be tough making bold calls but I’ve learned that when you back yourself with confidence you win the respect of others. In a fast-paced environment you need clarity to stay anchored in purpose, and the compassion to genuinely listen, care and adapt.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

My word would be tenacious. For me, that means I don’t scare easily, I stay on the field when things get hard, and I’ll keep pushing for what I believe is right long even if it means playing the long game.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

Pledge 1% hard-wires generosity into how we do business, so giving back isn’t an add‑on, it’s part of our identity. It tells our team that impact is everyone’s job but also that we can all contribute – every sale, every role, becomes impactful and can help create real, lasting change.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

Companies can champion female leadership by backing women with real opportunities: stretch roles, support, endorsement, trust and mentoring. It also means designing flexible, inclusive workplaces and loudly celebrating female leaders so the next generation can see what’s possible.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

You’re allowed to take up space – trust your gut and don’t wait to be “ready” before you say yes. The moments that scare you most will be the ones that shape you, so lean into them and back yourself. And you’re not too much!

Renee Holland

VP, People, Contentstack
📍Denver, USA

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

Leaders today need clarity, courage, and deep empathy, and for women leaders, those aren’t “nice to haves,” they’re survival skills. We are often navigating higher scrutiny and more invisible labor, so being grounded in our values and willing to make hard, transparent decisions really matters.

I also think women leaders, in particular, need strong boundaries and self‑trust: the ability to say “no,” to push back on unrealistic expectations, and to advocate for themselves with the same energy they use to advocate for their teams. Pair that with a learning mindset, and you get leaders who can both adapt quickly and bring others along.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

Authentic. As a female leader, I’ve learned that the most powerful thing I can do is show up as my real, whole self, and create space for others to do the same. Authenticity means my words, actions, and decisions are aligned with my values, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.

For me, being authentic looks like naming the hard things instead of dancing around them, sharing the “why” behind decisions, and admitting when I don’t have it all figured out. It’s bringing both head and heart into the room: being transparent about trade‑offs, clear about expectations, and human about how those decisions land on people. That combination builds deep trust. When leaders are authentic, people feel safe to be honest, to disagree, to bring forward ideas and concerns early. It creates a culture where we don’t have to perform a version of ourselves at work, we can be who we are, grow faster, and do better work together.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

Pledge 1% directly supports the kind of culture I want to be part of : one where care, impact, and business outcomes are all part of the same conversation. It reinforces that using our product, time, and resources to support communities isn’t an afterthought, it’s embedded in how we define success.

For women especially, who are often expected to carry the “emotional glue” of an organization, it’s powerful to have a formal structure that recognizes and channels that desire to contribute into real, resourced programs. It creates shared purpose, cross‑team connection, and a sense that our work can meaningfully improve lives beyond our own walls.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

First, companies have to do the unglamorous systems work: clear promotion criteria, equitable pay ranges, consistent calibration, and regular audits for gender and intersectional equity. If the system is biased, no amount of “confidence training” for women will fix it. Second, move from mentorship to sponsorship. Women need leaders who will say their name in the rooms they’re not in yet, put them on high‑visibility projects, and back them when they take smart risks.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

You’re not “lucky to be here”, you earned your seat, and you’re allowed to take up space. Speak up earlier, even if your voice shakes a little. The questions you’re afraid to ask are usually the ones everyone else is wondering, too. Don’t shrink your ideas to make other people comfortable. The way you see people, systems, and culture is a real strategic skill, not a soft side note. What you do matters to people and to the businesses – never accept “You’re not a revenue-producing department” as a rationale for minimizing the impact and difference your expertise provides. Protect your energy, find other women who will tell you the truth and cheer for you at the same time.

Jacqueline Purcell

CFO, Rokt
📍New York, USA

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

Leaders need to be curious, courageous and humble.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

Grounded. I try to lead with perspective and calm judgment, especially when things are moving quickly or stakes are high.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

Being a force for good is one of Rokt’s core values, and our Pledge 1% commitment brings that value to life. It helps shape a culture where giving back is embedded in how we think about success and the role we play in the communities in which we live and work.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

Companies champion female leadership by creating environments where women have real opportunities to grow, lead, and take risks. That means investing in mentorship and sponsorship, ensuring equitable access to opportunities, and building cultures where diverse perspectives are genuinely valued and supported.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

Don’t hold back. Be confident in your voice, take the opportunities in front of you, and remember that growth often comes from stepping forward before you feel completely ready.

Kim Cooper

Founding Operating Partner, U&I Ventures
📍San Francisco, U.S.A.

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

Empathy, courage, and accountability.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

I lead by listening first. When people feel seen and understood, they perform at their highest level. Empathy builds trust – and trust builds enduring teams, partnerships, and companies.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

Pledge 1% reinforces our belief in global citizenship. We aim to build companies and communities that recognize their responsibility beyond profit – to community, equity, and expanding opportunity at scale.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

By allocating capital equitably. If we want more women to lead, we must fund them – as founders, emerging managers, and decision-makers. Capital doesn’t just support companies; it changes trajectories.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

Your strengths are game-changing, even if they’re hard to quantify. When you show up as your true self, people won’t just follow – they’ll trust you.

Heather Black

CEO, Supermums
📍London

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

Resilience, Flexibility, Ethics, Innovative

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

Dynamic.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

We support our trainees to give back and volunteer their time to support non-profits with their technology systems to maximise fundraising and impact. We believe giving helps people to gain new experience and skills.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

Introducing new approaches and practices to support the diversity and selection of applicants within the recruitment process will increase the number of women in tech related roles at all levels.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

Everyday is a school day. If you don’t know something, go and find out.

Jenna Nicole

Marketing Director, AbsoluteLabs
📍Newbury, UK

What qualities do you think leaders need to have in today’s world?

I believe effective leadership is about navigating challenges while spotting opportunities others might miss, all while staying anchored to a clear vision of the end goal. Leadership is never a one-person effort. The strongest leaders harness the strengths around them, bring people with them on the journey, and recognise that the most meaningful success is shared success.

Working in marketing, where the landscape evolves constantly, I’ve seen how important it is to balance strategic thinking with emotional intelligence. Stay humble, build trust, communicate with clarity and empower diverse teams to challenge ideas and drive innovation. Modern leadership is less about hierarchy and control, and more about agility, innovative thinking, and self-belief.

If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be and why?

Collaborative.

How does your company’s Pledge 1% program help shape the kind of workplace culture you believe in?

We have a great culture already, but as we grow, we need to foster that same spirit of collaboration and purpose while continuing to give back to the communities and organisations we’re part of.

This year marks the 7th year of Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead campaign. How can companies champion and support female leadership?

Companies can champion and support female leadership by creating environments where women are encouraged to step forward, lead, and shape decision-making at every level. That means building clear pathways for progression, supporting mentorship and sponsorship, and fostering cultures where diverse perspectives are genuinely valued and heard.

Research shows that companies with gender-diverse executive teams are around 25% more likely to outperform financially, demonstrating that supporting female leadership isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also good for business.

If you could write a note to your younger self on her first day of work, what would it say?

Believe in yourself more than you think you should. Don’t doubt your place in the room, you’ve earned it. Ask questions without worrying about being an inconvenience; curiosity is how you learn and grow. Back your ideas, speak up with confidence, and remember that strength often comes from trusting your own instincts.